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Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Visits Belair Towers in Brockton

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director

Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES), the non-profit agency serving older adults and people with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, welcomed Alice Bonner, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs to Belair Towers in Brockton on December 8, 2015.

Secretary Bonner has been touring agencies caring for older adults across the state to learn firsthand about local efforts supporting older adults in the community. During her visit at Belair Towers she met with the Belair Tenants Association and approximately 40 residents, along with Thomas Thibeault, Executive Director of Brockton Housing Authority; Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director; and other staff members from these agencies.

A round table question and answer session provided Secretary Bonner an opportunity to hear about the access to services provided by OCES at Belair Towers, which includes supportive housing, regular and Caribbean congregate meals and the English as a Second Language program. Belair residents were also able to share their concerns about personal safety and building security in light of recent national and world events.

“We had a tremendous turnout and were able to garner very good feedback about access to our programs during the Belair round table session,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 235 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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‘Is that your dog barking in the background’ and other teleconference faux pas.

Conference calls are an occupational hazard for me.  Probably you. too.

Sometimes a conference call helps avoid long distance travel, bad weather and bad coffee.  Other times conference calls lead to communication HELL.

Here are some suggestions for making a conference call a productive, painless event.

Teleconference rules:

  • No dogs – Put them in another room or give them a rawhide bone large enough to keep them occupied.
  • No babies – See above.  Just kidding.  Perhaps a babysitter or even naptime would work.
  • No FedEx delivery guys – Anticipate this potential interruption. Leave a note on the door. Fight the urge to inconvenience the rest of us.
  • No hair band rockers – No serenade is necessary. Please turn off all music.
  • No off-color jokes – Really?  First, we’ve all heard that bad joke. Second, let’s be adults and keep this meeting moving.
  • No tropical ocean breeze – If you must walk out onto the deck, patio or bow, please make sure the wind doesn’t constantly sweep across the microphone.
  • No over talking or talking over – Let’s let everyone finish their thoughts.  Don’t make us try to sort out who is saying what.
  • No soft talking – On the other hand, speak up!  All we have is the sound of your voice.  This is the wrong time to be shy.
  • No late to the party summaries – Dial in on time and ready to go.  Don’t wander in and expect Cliff Notes.

I’ve just scratched the surface of teleconference faux pas that push me over the edge.  How about you?  What teleconference behavior makes you want to hang up? Ring us up or send along an email to share your favorite teleconference complaint.

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Investment Advisor Betsy Vallone Joins Norwell, MA Financial Services Firm

Betsy Vallone
Betsy Vallone

Betsy Vallone, Investment Advisor and Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), joins her husband, Steve Daglio, at their financial services firm, Essential Asset Management (EAM) in Norwell, MA.

Ms. Vallone, a Norwell resident and co-owner and principal of EAM, is returning from maternity leave to take an active role in the firm as an Investment Advisor and educator. Ms. Vallone will provide clients with tailored financial advice and services based on their specific goals, concerns, and requirements. She will also lead financial education workshops that are focused on women and investing, which will cover the fundamentals in financial planning and more.

“Essentially, we help local families achieve financial security for their retirement years. We also provide specialized advice and services to women and others who are impacted by sudden wealth or other significant life-changes such as divorce, a new job or a new baby,” explained Ms. Vallone.

A seasoned Investment Advisor with nearly a decade of experience, Ms. Vallone holds Series 65 and Life, Accident and Health insurance licenses and has certification as a financial education instructor from the National Financial Educators Council. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Fairfield University in Connecticut and has continued graduate studies at Bentley University. She is currently a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) candidate and will sit for the CFP exam in July 2016.

Ms. Vallone’s vast experience includes serving as a Financial Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments and as a Retirement Consultant at TIAA-CREF, to working in high tech at Oracle and Hubspot before leaving the corporate world to run her own successful dog training business.

She is a member of the South Shore Women’s Business Network.

To learn more about EAM or to schedule a consultation with the husband and wife financial services team, visit  www.essentialassetmanagement.net.

About the Firm

Founded in 2011, Essential Asset Management (EAM) provides a full array of planning and investment related services to meet clients’ specific needs and goals. From portfolio management and retirement planning, to estate planning and tax efficient investing, the firm’s investment advisors work closely with clients, engaging and encouraging ongoing feedback, in the creation of a holistic financial plan. Steve Daglio and Betsy Vallone are co-owners, principals, and partners of the fee-based investment advisory firm serving families and individuals throughout the South Shore. The husband and wife team have a combined 26 years of experience working in financial services, providing investment strategies for individuals, small businesses, institutions, and even other financial advisors.

Essential Asset Management, LLC is located at 167 Washington Street, Norwell, MA 02061. For more information, visit  www.essentialassetmanagement.net.

__________________________________________________________

Investment Advisory Services offered through Bay Colony Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisor. Clearing, custody or other brokerage services provided by Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC. Members NYSE, SIPC.  Office of supervision: 91 Main Street Suite 308 Concord, MA 01742. Phone 978-369-7200. Steven Daglio and Betsy Vallone are Investment Advisor Representatives of Bay Colony Advisors.  Advisory Services offered to residents of: Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina and Massachusetts. Bay Colony Advisors and Essential Asset Management, LLC are not affiliated.

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Dozens of families benefit from VoiceNation’s “Operation Give Back”

Caitlin Redd and Alea Pizzaro of the VoiceNation team wrap gifts for 65 children.
Caitlin Redd and Alea Pizzaro of the VoiceNation team wrap gifts for 65 children.

VoiceNation, the industry leader in live answering and virtual receptionist services, made the holidays brighter for 27 local families through their “Operation Give Back” outreach program.

Now in its fourth year, Operation Give Back is the name given to VoiceNation’s outreach effort to help ensure local children living in shelters and those in need of assistance receive gifts during the holiday season.

VoiceNation worked with Jackson County Family Connection in Jefferson and Georgia CALLS in Buford to provide holiday gifts for 65 children, ranging in age from three months to 17 years old. The gifts included BMX bicycles, arts and crafts, clothes, shoes and many different toys.

How it Works

VoiceNation receives referrals from agencies that are working with families in need. VoiceNation provided their employees with funds to purchase gifts along with Operation Give Back profile folders of the children in need, which include the child’s age, gender, holiday wish list and preferences, such as their favorite color, clothing size, favorite activities, and hobbies.

“Many participants in Georgia CALLS’ re-entry program are working hard to become CEOs of their own lives and to do better by their families, but are still in need of assistance. They are amazed at the outpouring of support from anonymous donors,” explained Mark Mobley, Executive Director of Georgia CALLS.

“Our Operation Give Back program has become a highly sought after volunteer initiative here at VoiceNation. As our staff learns about the children in need, they feel a connection to them and are incredibly enthusiastic about the gifts they purchase for them,” explained Jay Reeder, the company’s president. “Operation Give Back is a tremendous opportunity to support children and families in need within our community while spreading holiday cheer.”

VoiceNation’s Employee Volunteer Program provides ample opportunity for every staff member to volunteer and work towards a cause they feel passionate about on a local, national, or global scale.

About Jackson County Family Connection

The mission of Jackson County Family Connection is to improve the well-being and health conditions of families through a collaborative system of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual supports. For more information, visit www.jcfamilyconnection.com or call 706-367-3021.

About Georgia CALLS

Georgia CALLS, a program in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Transition, Support & Reentry, the Georgia Department of Corrections and Phillips Transitional Center, is transforming mindsets, growing leaders and building entrepreneurs, one life at a time. Utilizing a powerful combination of exclusive job/life skills training, paid work experience in the call center, intensive case management services, and optional discipleship classes, participants in the Georgia CALLS program develop their character, explore their own entrepreneurial dreams, and in turn give back to their own communities. Georgia CALLS works to make a lasting community impact by cultivating entrepreneurs and mentoring participants to be the CEOs of their lives. For more information about Georgia CALLS, visit www.gacalls.org

About VoiceNation

VoiceNation is a leading provider of 24-hour live answering services and call center solutions. Named “Top Provider in Industry” by PC World, VoiceNation is positioned as a knowledge leader with innovations in pricing, service, and proprietary open source technology.

Over 50,000 businesses worldwide, including Comedy Central, Delta, Dunkin’ Donuts, Rolls Royce, and StateFarm trust VoiceNation as their professional telephone answering service. Founded in 2002, VoiceNation is a privately-held company that invests heavy emphasis in staff development and community outreach opportunities. To learn more about VoiceNation, visit www.qualityansweringservice.com.

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Waltham Accountant Places in Top Quarter of World’s Toughest Mudder Competition

Justin Horr and Nicole Perry
Justin Horr and Nicole Perry

With the same grit and determination required during tax season, Justin Horr, Staff Accountant at Rodman & Rodman CPAs, a full service tax and accounting firm catering to small and medium-sized companies throughout the greater Boston area, completed the World’s Toughest Mudder® 24-hour race held November 14-15th at Lake Las Vegas, Nevada.

Placing 219 overall among approximately 1280 participants, Horr did well in the Male Division 20-24 year-old, placing 9th and completing 10 laps, 50 miles total in 24 hours, 28 minutes and 4 seconds. He was among 28 male and female contestants from Massachusetts.

Horr, a resident of South Easton, MA and native of Granby, CT, competed alongside his aunt, Nicole Perry of Simsbury, CT, who finished 4th in her age group.

World’s Toughest Mudder is an extreme 24-hour obstacle course challenge where athletes are tested to their physical and mental limits competing for Worlds Toughest Mudder title and prizes, while also fundraising for a charity or cause.

“This race, at this magnitude, required a lot of preparation. You have to be ready to tackle different challenges. The course changes in the middle of the night, and you have to adapt,” explained Horr. “It’s almost as stressful as tax season – which is a marathon, not a sprint – where you have to be mentally prepared.”

Horr will be participating in Tough Mudder New England and Spartan Sprint Race in 2016.

About Rodman & Rodman CPAs

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman CPAs provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England and beyond. The team specializes in improving business performance, business processes, operations, information technology, finance, and change navigation. Rodman CPAs provides companies with a sustainable financial roadmap through expert partnership/corporate structuring for optimal tax benefit; grant qualification assistance and auditing; ongoing advisory services for federal, state and local tax incentives; and strategic financial planning and management.

The firm has a specialized renewable energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice, known as the “Green Team” which serves renewable energy clients throughout the U.S. The company is Green Business Certified. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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Emerson Bearing Boston Expands Inventory of Super Precision Bearings, Offers eBook Technical Guide

EB_logo2C_tagline_5inEmerson Bearing of Boston, a supplier of bearings and related products catering to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) markets around the world, has expanded their Super Precision bearing line and offers a complimentary eBook entitled The Art of Precision Bearings: Handling, Mounting, and Technical Guide to Precision Bearings.

High-speed turbochargers, balancing machines and other equipment that needs to operate at radial speeds of 400,000 RPM utilize higher Super Precision ball bearings. Emerson’s expansive Super Precision bearing line now includes Barden, GMN, Nachi and NTN brands. The company also offers a complimentary comprehensive technical guide that may be downloaded from their website emersonbearing.com.

“Super Precision bearings provide the best operational efficiency and can actually extend the lifetime of heavy machinery,” explained Steve Katz, president. “These ‘super’ bearings can facilitate a variety of uses and needs when you match the right bearing to your equipment’s specifications and operation.”

Machinery that uses Super Precision bearings

Super Precision bearings are ideal for applications that demand a high degree of running accuracy, have high system rigidity, need to extend speed capabilities and maintain low heat generation as well as minimize noise and vibration levels.

The optimized dimensional performance and operational capabilities provide a return on investment that exceeds that of standard bearings. Applications where precision bearings provide the greatest benefit include metal cutting and woodworking, super precision lathes, vacuum pumps used in industrial and sterile environments, high speed rolling mill machines, as well as printing, milling and balancing machinery.

For more information about Super Precision bearings, contact Emerson Bearing experts at 800-225-4587. To download Emerson Bearing’s eBook, visit their website  http://info.emersonbearing.com/art-of-precision-bearings.

About Emerson Bearing Boston

Founded in 1957, Emerson Bearing Boston specializes in bearings for OEM and MRO markets throughout the world. The company provides solutions to a variety of industries including: aggregate, concrete, mining, machine tools, electric motor repair, marine, material handling, metal processing, packaging, food processing, paper converting, printing, wind/power generation, recreation, heavy construction, robotics, automation, transportation, wood products, wastewater treatment, pump, compressor and oil field.

Emerson Bearing Boston offers customers a one-stop shopping experience. With an online product catalog with over 3 million bearings – ranging in size from 3mm to tunnel-boring 15-foot-diameter giants; a vast inventory of bearings; worldwide sourcing; a fixed price program; a knowledgeable staff; same day shipping and 24/7 service, Emerson Bearing Boston has become a leading provider of bearings in the U.S. They are the sister company of Action Bearing and maintain headquarters at 201 Brighton Ave. Boston, MA. For more information, visit www.emersonbearing.com or call 800-225-4587.

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Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI) Receives Official Massachusetts Private School Accreditation

Dr. Jeffrey Robinson
Dr. Jeffrey Robinson

WORCESTER, MA…

The Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI) announced today that it has received its provisional license to operate as an approved private day school from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This school is a new option for students with autism spectrum disorder and challenging behaviors who have persistent difficulties within their public schools in Central Massachusetts. As a result of the recent licensing and approval status, the school is now accepting applications for students ages 6 through 22 who reside in communities within a one hour radius of Worcester.

Jeffrey Robinson, Ph. D. and Brian Doyle, Ed.D., BCBA-D are the founders and directors of the school with over 60 years of cumulative autism and ABA experience. “CABI opened as an unapproved school approximately one year ago after having received the approval of the Worcester School Committee.,” said CABI Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Robinson. “We take pride in providing the highest quality of individualized educational services to our students. We believe that every child has a unique potential to learn and are steadfastly committed to maximizing each student’s potential.”

This new private school was created to address the needs of an underserved population of students by offering an educational option utilizing scientifically based educational treatment for children and young adults with significant educational and behavioral needs. “It’s really the magnitude of the behavioral challenge that will distinguish the students that come to our school,” said Robinson. “Many have been successfully integrated in traditional schools, but some children exhibit significantly interfering behaviors which make it difficult to safely maintain them in a public school.”

The CABI is located at 345 Greenwood Street in Worcester, MA. More information about the school can be found on the Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction’s website at http://www.cabiautism.org or by calling the school directly at (508) 363-0201.

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Catapult Advisory Group’s Greg DeSimone to speak at Business Fundamentals Boot Camp

Greg DeSimone
Greg DeSimone

BEVERLY, MA and MANSFIELD, MA…

Greg DeSimone, director of Mansfield, MA-based Catapult Advisory Group, will be a speaker at the upcoming Business Fundamentals Boot Camp-North Shore, MA to be held on January 22. DeSimone will deliver his presentation, Strategic Business Planning Made Simple – Eliminate the Distractions, Inspire Your Team, Scale Your Revenue with Your Exit Strategy Clearly Defined.

Hosted by Supporting Strategies|North Shore—a franchisor offering bookkeeping and operational support services–the Business Fundamentals Bootcamp Series is designed for the CEO’s and CXO’s of early and growth stage companies. The North Shore event includes speakers and panelists who lend their expertise on tactical issues and opportunities for growing businesses focused on topics in marketing, finance, law and human resources.

“We’ve all heard the saying, ‘Businesses don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.’ Interestingly enough, even in an era with an abundance of tools and software just for business planning, many businesses still fail to adequately prepare for present and future growth and their eventual sale,” said DeSimone. “My talk will center on the essentials of business planning and how it can co-exist with running your organization on a day-to-day basis.”

The one-day Business Fundamentals Boot Camp will be held at Endicott College, Beverly, MA. The cost to attend is $149. For registration information, visit http://www.bfbootcamp.com/2016NSH.

A self-described “recovering CPA”, DeSimone has nearly two decades of financial and management experience. He’s also a Brian Tracy certified business coach—a certification that requires more than 150 hours of study to obtain and maintain. During his tenure as director of Catapult Advisory Group, he has worked with numerous businesses of all sizes—particularly family-owned businesses—to help them fine-tune goals and strategies, develop exit strategies and optimize operations.

For more information on Catapult Advisory Group, visit www.catapultadvisorygroup.com or call (508) 618-4575.

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VoiceNation Director to Speak at Asterisk World in Florida on January 28

OpenAnswer logoEric Schurke, Director of Operations at VoiceNation, the industry leader in live answering and virtual receptionist services, will be a special guest speaker during Asterisk World, a part of the annual  IT Expo, which will be held January 25-28, 2016 at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Asterisk World is focused on Asterisk business users and potential users who are interested in getting more in depth experience with Asterisk, and who also want to learn more from Asterisk adopters and see what’s happening in the Asterisk market. On Thursday, January 28th, Schurke will share VoiceNation’s Asterisk story and use of the software to build their revolutionary open source answering service software, OpenAnswer.

In his presentation entitled “OpenAnswer: A Case Study on the Power of Open Source,” Schurke will discuss how VoiceNation developed OpenAnswer to help evolve the industry away from the proprietary existing solutions that charge per seat and require binding contracts. He will also share the OpenAnswer early adopter success story of Georgia CALLS, a unique 501(c)3 non-profit helping high-risk, returning citizens make a successful transition from incarceration back into society as business entrepreneurs. Georgia CALLS has had overwhelming success utilizing OpenAnswer in their on-site call center, which is staffed by Georgia CALLS program participants.

“Through the use of Asterisk, we’ve developed a way for entrepreneurs who would not have been able to start a call center, to have the opportunity to do so at very little cost. OpenAnswer software exponentially increases call center operator efficiency, accuracy, and productivity,” explained Schurke.

Visit VoiceNation at Asterisk World at booth 428 to learn more about VoiceNation’s strategy for OpenAnswer.

The OpenAnswer Solution

Set to make a global impact on the telecommunications industry and businesses worldwide, VoiceNation’s OpenAnswer is intuitive, intelligent open source live answering software that provides the call center industry with a collaborative solution that is freely available to download, install, and modify.

OpenAnswer is built on familiar open source technology like Asterisk, FreePBX, Apache, Linux, PF Sense, SIP and more. The system is designed to increase operator efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. There are no licensing fees and call center owners get unlimited seats and scalability with OpenAnswer. The online documentation at  www.voicenation.com/openanswer outlines the step-by-step process to get started installing the software, and features need-to-know information and tips on how to configure OpenAnswer to fit your needs.

Registration for Asterisk World is now open. Visit http://www.asterisk-world.com/east/registration.aspx.

For the latest Asterisk World news, updates and information, follow the event on Twitter at  @asteriskpbx

About VoiceNation

VoiceNation is a leading virtual PBX, voicemail, and innovative live answering service provider. Named “Top Provider in Industry” by PC World, the company’s cloud-based virtual phone services offer all the features of a physical PBX at a fraction of the cost or complexity of traditional technology. VoiceNation enables businesses of all sizes to compete in the marketplace as a Fortune 500 company on a small business budget with 24-hour presence management.

Founded in 2002, VoiceNation is a privately-held company that serves more than 50,000 customers including Comedy Central, Delta, Dunkin’ Donuts, Rolls Royce, and StateFarm. The company also provides qualified non-profit, tax-exempt charities with access to voicemail, faxmail and other specialized communication services at reduced cost through their Care2Call outreach program. To learn more about VoiceNation, visit www.voicenation.com.

About Digium

Digium®, Inc. provides Asterisk® software, telephony hardware, and on-premises and hosted Switchvox business phone systems that deliver enterprise-class Unified Communications (UC) and UC as a Service (UCaaS) solutions at an affordable price. Digium is the creator, primary developer and sponsor of the Asterisk project; the world’s most widely used open source communications software. Asterisk turns an ordinary computer into a feature-rich communications server. A community of more than 80,000 developers and users worldwide uses Asterisk to create VoIP communication solutions in more than 170 countries. Since 1999, Digium has empowered developers to create innovative communications solutions based on open standards and open source software, providing an alternative to proprietary phone systems. Digium Switchvox Cloud and other cloud-based products and services are offered through Digium Cloud Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Digium, Inc. Digium’s business communications products are sold through a worldwide network of reseller partners. More information is available at www.digium.com and www.asterisk.org.

About TMC

Global buyers rely on TMC’s content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. This presents branding, thought leadership and lead generation opportunities for vendors/sellers.

TMC’s Marketplaces:

  • Unique, turnkey Online Communities boost search results, establish market validation, elevate brands and thought leadership, while minimizing ad-blocking.
  • Custom Lead Programs uncover sales opportunities and build databases.
  • In-Person and Online Events boost brands, enhance thought leadership and generate leads.
  • Publications, Display Advertising and Newsletters bolster brand reputations.
  • Custom Content provides expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and overall marketing efforts.
  • Comprehensive Event and Road Show Management Services help companies meet potential clients and generate leads face-to-face.  For more information about TMC, visit www.tmcnet.com.

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